I want to offer my own personal assessment of the "racial" controversy about Councilwoman Gracie Floyd.
Plenty of folks in Anderson have attended more council meetings, have been more involved in the local political community, and have far more wisdom about these matters than I could hope to have.
In this situation, I think that my minimal experience is a plus. I often don't understand the racial tensions in Anderson County. The backlash against renaming Mall Rd as MLK Blvd didn’t make any sense to me. A close friend, not understanding why the road was renamed, asked me “Are we that insecure about race?” I’m still not sure if I have an answer to that.
Political opponents of Ms. Floyd have already claimed that she “played the race card.” That phrase has been bandied about so much this year that I’m not even sure what it means anymore. I think it implies that black Americans are overly sensitive and should be happy with all the racial advances that we’ve made in the past four decades.
Barack Obama’s proximity to the White House seems to have highlighted these divisions. Just last week, a prominent TV commentator said that black Americans should be grateful for their history—they’d still be wallowing in 3rd world Africa if our ancestors hadn’t taken them as slaves. There is obviously some truth in that, but it seems to suggest that all the injustices of centuries past are OKAY. That is a really sick kind of moral relativism.
I can best describe this attitude as “Aren’t you equal enough?” Equal enough? That seems to imply that some are “more equal than others.”
In concession, Ms. Floyd is sometimes treated poorly just because she’s a member of the opposing political view. However, race does play a factor.
Have you guys ever seen Rick Freemantle get up at a council meeting and degrade Ms. Floyd and the other council members for passing a resolution proclaiming black history month? That man is seething with such racism and hatred that many have expressed discomfort with being in his threatening presence.
Don’t you think race was a factor when Joey Preston wanted to use the Kroger building as a government complex but multitudes of white citizens got up and said that it would be unwise to put it “on that side of town?” There is “too much crime” over there. Of course, the police chief got up and dispelled argument that using crime statistics.
Again, we were told that the crime statistics couldn’t be right. Everybody on that side of town was too scared of the big, bad, black males to report anything to the police.
Don’t deceive yourselves. Everybody in Anderson County certainly harbors very strong feelings about race. Quit pretending that we’re past these racial issues.
Andrew Hammett
andrew.hammett@gmail.com
P.S. I encourage you to listen to the full 37 minutes of Barack Obama's speech on race. He is far more eloquent on this topic.
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In defense of Gracie Floyd
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Andrew -
Good summary. You will be ridiculed for this, but you are right on target. I have made similar postings and been accused over and over again of using the "race card". I am sensitive about racial remarks. I think we all should be.
The fact is that it's a huge problem in our world... and in Anderson. There are probably times when African Americans are oversensitive. Perhaps Ms. Floyd was at the Council meeting. I wasn't there. I don't know. But I do know when you are subjected to overt racism over and over again (like your description of Rick Freemantle), you tend to see a lot of things through that lens.
Good summary. You will be ridiculed for this, but you are right on target. I have made similar postings and been accused over and over again of using the "race card". I am sensitive about racial remarks. I think we all should be.
The fact is that it's a huge problem in our world... and in Anderson. There are probably times when African Americans are oversensitive. Perhaps Ms. Floyd was at the Council meeting. I wasn't there. I don't know. But I do know when you are subjected to overt racism over and over again (like your description of Rick Freemantle), you tend to see a lot of things through that lens.
One thing I find highly amusing is that Southerners are often typecast as racist. Mr. Freemantle is a Yankee.
One thing I find highly amusing is that Southerners are often typecast as racist. Mr. Freemantle is a Yankee.
- The Queen
Can we send him back?
I have grown weary of the race-card deal for the past decade. It's used in lawsuits and entitlement statutes all over the country. Yet you'll continue to find these very same individuals whom eschew the division of races are the perpetrators of such hatred and divisiveness amongst themselves. Dress like a thug, speak like a thug, act like a thug and expect to not be treated as one???
I look at the current civil rights "leaders" who continue to fuel the fires of racial disharmony and "inequity". Members of religious groups spout hatred in a church of God. Or give a listen to the rap music or videos heavily promoted & enjoyed by blacks. Do you ever hear about the positive strides made since MLK in 1964? No, only whitey is bad, woe is me, women are toys, kill-kill-kill!
Yet I find little resentment when race is used to get housing, medical care, employment, education & grants. Never see a black person turning down a freebie, do you? I have seen abuse of this entitlement program while Katrina victims were relocated & placed in the upstate. Getting checks from FEMA for tens-of-thousands, plus having their motel bills fully paid while staying here, just for being renters and unemployed. Did they use the money to rebuild their lives, to find new housing or re-educate themselves? I can say with absolute certainty I watched them spend it on booze, dope and partay! One couple got a check for $15,500. and within 6 days they were piss-poor broke and spent it on drugs and alcohol. Thats more than 1/2 my annual income, and I surely would have done something besides get drunk
So it was whitey's fault their dumb-@ss ignored two weeks of warnings about a Cat-5 hurricane on the way to the Gulf coast, and they stayed below sea level? Where was THEIR own race when they needed them? Your churches, social networks, civil rights leaders, Ray Nagin or NAACP? From what America saw, out stealing televisions, raping young girls on overpasses or stadiums and shooting at rescuers. Just sick of the way race is used as a tool of social destruction.
Hmmm, sounds like the wrong race is b*tching about racism.
After all, as a Jew I am "entitled" to reparation for all our thousands of years of slavery at the hands of Egyptians, Romans, Sumerians and so-forth. Blah-blah-blah......
WHEW! Now that I'm done with my "pissed-off-white-guy rant, lemme speak to the topic at hand: Ms. Floyd.
Gracie is a staunch allay for her constituency members, and a strong-willed woman who's had her share of grief and disparity from the community. In our dealings with her, she has always shown fairness, openness and an ability to make folks do something besides bellyache!
I would stand with her in whatever topic or situation showed it's face, and do not concider her "racist" or unequal to myself or anyone else.
I would presume the race-card thrown out there is from someone disgruntled ,and just didn't know how to say they were the one's in the wrong.
I look at the current civil rights "leaders" who continue to fuel the fires of racial disharmony and "inequity". Members of religious groups spout hatred in a church of God. Or give a listen to the rap music or videos heavily promoted & enjoyed by blacks. Do you ever hear about the positive strides made since MLK in 1964? No, only whitey is bad, woe is me, women are toys, kill-kill-kill!
Yet I find little resentment when race is used to get housing, medical care, employment, education & grants. Never see a black person turning down a freebie, do you? I have seen abuse of this entitlement program while Katrina victims were relocated & placed in the upstate. Getting checks from FEMA for tens-of-thousands, plus having their motel bills fully paid while staying here, just for being renters and unemployed. Did they use the money to rebuild their lives, to find new housing or re-educate themselves? I can say with absolute certainty I watched them spend it on booze, dope and partay! One couple got a check for $15,500. and within 6 days they were piss-poor broke and spent it on drugs and alcohol. Thats more than 1/2 my annual income, and I surely would have done something besides get drunk
So it was whitey's fault their dumb-@ss ignored two weeks of warnings about a Cat-5 hurricane on the way to the Gulf coast, and they stayed below sea level? Where was THEIR own race when they needed them? Your churches, social networks, civil rights leaders, Ray Nagin or NAACP? From what America saw, out stealing televisions, raping young girls on overpasses or stadiums and shooting at rescuers. Just sick of the way race is used as a tool of social destruction.
Hmmm, sounds like the wrong race is b*tching about racism.
After all, as a Jew I am "entitled" to reparation for all our thousands of years of slavery at the hands of Egyptians, Romans, Sumerians and so-forth. Blah-blah-blah......
WHEW! Now that I'm done with my "pissed-off-white-guy rant, lemme speak to the topic at hand: Ms. Floyd.
Gracie is a staunch allay for her constituency members, and a strong-willed woman who's had her share of grief and disparity from the community. In our dealings with her, she has always shown fairness, openness and an ability to make folks do something besides bellyache!
I would stand with her in whatever topic or situation showed it's face, and do not concider her "racist" or unequal to myself or anyone else.
I would presume the race-card thrown out there is from someone disgruntled ,and just didn't know how to say they were the one's in the wrong.
I have grown weary of the race-card deal for the past decade. It's used in lawsuits and entitlement statutes all over the country. Yet you'll continue to find these very same individuals whom eschew the division of races are the perpetrators of such hatred and divisiveness amongst themselves. Dress like a thug, speak like a thug, act like a thug and expect to not be treated as one???
I look at the current civil rights "leaders" who continue to fuel the fires of racial disharmony and "inequity". Members of religious groups spout hatred in a church of God. Or give a listen to the rap music or videos heavily promoted & enjoyed by blacks. Do you ever hear about the positive strides made since MLK in 1964? No, only whitey is bad, woe is me, women are toys, kill-kill-kill!
Yet I find little resentment when race is used to get housing, medical care, employment, education & grants. Never see a black person turning down a freebie, do you? I have seen abuse of this entitlement program while Katrina victims were relocated & placed in the upstate. Getting checks from FEMA for tens-of-thousands, plus having their motel bills fully paid while staying here, just for being renters and unemployed. Did they use the money to rebuild their lives, to find new housing or re-educate themselves? I can say with absolute certainty I watched them spend it on booze, dope and partay! One couple got a check for $15,500. and within 6 days they were piss-poor broke and spent it on drugs and alcohol. Thats more than 1/2 my annual income, and I surely would have done something besides get drunk
So it was whitey's fault their dumb-@ss ignored two weeks of warnings about a Cat-5 hurricane on the way to the Gulf coast, and they stayed below sea level? Where was THEIR own race when they needed them? Your churches, social networks, civil rights leaders, Ray Nagin or NAACP? From what America saw, out stealing televisions, raping young girls on overpasses or stadiums and shooting at rescuers. Just sick of the way race is used as a tool of social destruction.
Hmmm, sounds like the wrong race is b*tching about racism.
After all, as a Jew I am "entitled" to reparation for all our thousands of years of slavery at the hands of Egyptians, Romans, Sumerians and so-forth. Blah-blah-blah......
WHEW! Now that I'm done with my "pissed-off-white-guy rant, lemme speak to the topic at hand: Ms. Floyd.
Gracie is a staunch allay for her constituency members, and a strong-willed woman who's had her share of grief and disparity from the community. In our dealings with her, she has always shown fairness, openness and an ability to make folks do something besides bellyache!
I would stand with her in whatever topic or situation showed it's face, and do not concider her "racist" or unequal to myself or anyone else.
I would presume the race-card thrown out there is from someone disgruntled ,and just didn't know how to say they were the one's in the wrong. /- wyatt1sc
You would presume wrong...Mrs. Floyd brought up the subject and stated for all to hear that it was either because she was a woman or it was because she was black
Yes, folks, Gracie Floyd is running for re-election !
So, guess what ? The CAVE folks step-up their anti-Gracie campaign. Their tactics include:
1) Disrupting the council meetings.
2) Holding their fingers together when she speaks, symbolizing "My heart bleeds for you" in the sign language of middle school dropouts.
3) Laughing at her as she speaks.
4) Attacking her verbally on the radio (a Freemantle specialty).
5) Following her home after council meetings.
and you know the rest, letters, phone calls, etc
If the CAVE people have someone to run against her they must determine whether this person is better, or is simply a CAVE supporter. If he is better, then they should concentrate on explaining how he will improve the running of the county. BUT, if he is simply "owned" by the CAVE folks, and has nothing to offer, then they MUST continue their anti-Gracie campaign, because that is the only way these misfits and n'er-do-wells can hope to get someone elected.
This raises the question: Why would anyone vote for someone supported by the CAVE folks?
What good could possibly come from putting in some moron, just because he is anti-Joey or pro-Cindy ? Is that what we want running our county ? I don't think so !
So, folks, listen to Driver, Welch, Freemantle, Crow, and the rest of the misfits on hate radio, and then study the candidates. Call them yourself and ask them how they feel on the issues that are important to you. Then VOTE for the ones that best represent YOUR views.
WAIM and Driver do not run this county. Don't let them mislead you into doing something you regret.
So, guess what ? The CAVE folks step-up their anti-Gracie campaign. Their tactics include:
1) Disrupting the council meetings.
2) Holding their fingers together when she speaks, symbolizing "My heart bleeds for you" in the sign language of middle school dropouts.
3) Laughing at her as she speaks.
4) Attacking her verbally on the radio (a Freemantle specialty).
5) Following her home after council meetings.
and you know the rest, letters, phone calls, etc
If the CAVE people have someone to run against her they must determine whether this person is better, or is simply a CAVE supporter. If he is better, then they should concentrate on explaining how he will improve the running of the county. BUT, if he is simply "owned" by the CAVE folks, and has nothing to offer, then they MUST continue their anti-Gracie campaign, because that is the only way these misfits and n'er-do-wells can hope to get someone elected.
This raises the question: Why would anyone vote for someone supported by the CAVE folks?
What good could possibly come from putting in some moron, just because he is anti-Joey or pro-Cindy ? Is that what we want running our county ? I don't think so !
So, folks, listen to Driver, Welch, Freemantle, Crow, and the rest of the misfits on hate radio, and then study the candidates. Call them yourself and ask them how they feel on the issues that are important to you. Then VOTE for the ones that best represent YOUR views.
WAIM and Driver do not run this county. Don't let them mislead you into doing something you regret.
Yes, folks, Gracie Floyd is running for re-election !
So, guess what ? The CAVE folks step-up their anti-Gracie campaign. Their tactics include:
1) Disrupting the council meetings.
Gracie has done this…
2) Holding their fingers together when she speaks, symbolizing "My heart bleeds for you" in the sign language of middle school dropouts.
Although I have not seen Gracie playing the “worlds smallest violin” she does however
P.S. I encourage you to listen to the full 37 minutes of Barack Obama's speech on race. He is far more eloquent on this topic.- ahammett
Sure he can be eloquent, but so can my dog when he wants something. It still does not change the fact that he's an inexperienced dumbass who has long standing associations with hate mongers and a known terrorist. Stop following someone who only has charisma on his side and just uses glittering generalities to sell sell false hope and bogus change. I know its hard for a lib, but look beyond the hype for once. (but then again, he just makes you feel good, and thats all that matters, right?)
Remember the last time a nation followed someone based on charisma alone, over 60 million people needlessly died, and no one really saw that one coming either....
Sorry, can't get on board with the reasoning of
" WELL, I am A SENATOR FOR THE STATE OF INSANITY FOR TEN YEARS, SO i HAVE 'SPERIENCE"
Just because you held office in the most politically corrupt venue there is, does that make you better equipped to be leader of the country? Oh wait, I suppose it does! At least thats how it works for current administration leadership, both hands deep in the pockets of big oil, pharmaceutical industries and military contractors like Haliburton. Like watching "Prison Break" with TeaBag turning out his pockets for the next political whore to come along.
I would rather elect some numbskull nerd with a tin-foil hat and Star Trek costume before I elect a 71 year old with deep rooted issues and has waffled more on topics than IHOP! ( wonder if Rick Driver is running for prez.?) Besides Mrs McCain looks like her skin has been stretched tighter on her than saran wrap over last night's leftovers! That chick scares me!
McCain only insures NO future progress, only repetition of BUSH logic, war-machine rule and economic disaster for this country. And God only knows how much I long for a 21st century Great depression to hit America........And I don't quite envision him as a Roosevelt president either.
Hillbilly hass not quite pulled herself from her series of scandals, real estate deals which reek of fraud, and denial of marital infidelity. C'mon, if you can't please your own spouse, how the %#@& can your please an entire country?? She should also be wearing beach sandles for her flip-flopping on everything from Bosnia attacks to what she had for lunch on the tour bus.
Barack is the one loose cannon which can either make this country strong and pull us back from world devesatation, or have us asking the United Nations for food and medical donations like every other third-world nation. But at least he speaks a great speal!! I would almost expect him to slip and say " I have a dream...."
Now as far as Ms. Floyd, she is spot-on with her assessment of audience disruption of her input during open meetings. We've sat beside and behind the Driver-crowd and watched their sneers, heard their commentary and watched folks like Dan Harvell purposely disrupt and harumph the comments made by Ms. Floyd. Mr. Harvell, the strong opponent of Blue Law repeal, yet gratefully works his staff every Sunday at his restaurant. Hmmm, interesting how when it's convienent for him it's okay, but if it's an inconvienent truth.......
I find it sadly immature these folks don't offer the elected membership of this county the uninterrupted opportunity to express themselves as they are priveledged to. It would be like taking away the rights of citizens to speak openly in meetings and have seperate sessions for them....
" WELL, I am A SENATOR FOR THE STATE OF INSANITY FOR TEN YEARS, SO i HAVE 'SPERIENCE"
Just because you held office in the most politically corrupt venue there is, does that make you better equipped to be leader of the country? Oh wait, I suppose it does! At least thats how it works for current administration leadership, both hands deep in the pockets of big oil, pharmaceutical industries and military contractors like Haliburton. Like watching "Prison Break" with TeaBag turning out his pockets for the next political whore to come along.
I would rather elect some numbskull nerd with a tin-foil hat and Star Trek costume before I elect a 71 year old with deep rooted issues and has waffled more on topics than IHOP! ( wonder if Rick Driver is running for prez.?) Besides Mrs McCain looks like her skin has been stretched tighter on her than saran wrap over last night's leftovers! That chick scares me!
McCain only insures NO future progress, only repetition of BUSH logic, war-machine rule and economic disaster for this country. And God only knows how much I long for a 21st century Great depression to hit America........And I don't quite envision him as a Roosevelt president either.
Hillbilly hass not quite pulled herself from her series of scandals, real estate deals which reek of fraud, and denial of marital infidelity. C'mon, if you can't please your own spouse, how the %#@& can your please an entire country?? She should also be wearing beach sandles for her flip-flopping on everything from Bosnia attacks to what she had for lunch on the tour bus.
Barack is the one loose cannon which can either make this country strong and pull us back from world devesatation, or have us asking the United Nations for food and medical donations like every other third-world nation. But at least he speaks a great speal!! I would almost expect him to slip and say " I have a dream...."
Now as far as Ms. Floyd, she is spot-on with her assessment of audience disruption of her input during open meetings. We've sat beside and behind the Driver-crowd and watched their sneers, heard their commentary and watched folks like Dan Harvell purposely disrupt and harumph the comments made by Ms. Floyd. Mr. Harvell, the strong opponent of Blue Law repeal, yet gratefully works his staff every Sunday at his restaurant. Hmmm, interesting how when it's convienent for him it's okay, but if it's an inconvienent truth.......
I find it sadly immature these folks don't offer the elected membership of this county the uninterrupted opportunity to express themselves as they are priveledged to. It would be like taking away the rights of citizens to speak openly in meetings and have seperate sessions for them....
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